Wayne Kennedy

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Amarillo's First Family Church, First Assembly of God, 6101 Bell St., with the Rev. Billy D. Nickell, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Dreamland Cemetery by Brooks Funeral Directors of Canyon.

Wayne was born Jan. 1, 1952, in Amarillo to Jessie Lee Kennedy and Dorothy Chandler Kennedy. He attended high school in Plainview.

Wayne spent several years ranching in northern New Mexico, before returning to Amarillo, where he served the community as a firefighter for 23 years from 1986 to 2009. He was a member of the Amarillo Firefighters Association and also served with the firefighters' annual Fill the Boot campaign to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was honored with the Firefighter of the Year award in 2008.

His girls were his world, and he loved his fellow firefighters. When he wasn't working, Wayne's favorite times were spent with his family and fishing with his friends.

He will be remembered as an amazing dad, the best PaPa and a faithful friend.

He was met in heaven by his granddaughter, Ashlyn Bree Cox.

Survivors include four daughters, Shannon Kirkland and husband George, Shalyn Cox and husband Craig, Amber Puckett and husband Jay and Courtney Kennedy; two granddaughters, Jaiden Kennedy and Peyton Kirkland. He also is survived by his girlfriend, Rosemary Robinson; his parents; and a sister, Vickie Bugbee of Bennington, Vt.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be to Brian Hunton Scholarship, which is in honor of a fallen firefighter, in care of Amarillo Area Foundation, 801 S. Fillmore St., Suite 700, Amarillo, TX 79101, 806-376-4521.